United Nations Caribbean

United Nations Caribbean

United Nations Caribbean

Guyana Makes Progress with Green State Development Strategy

Caption: Guyana Chronicle

According to President Granger, of the Republic of Guyana "the aim is to move the pursuit of a 'green' agenda from imagination to implementation and from reverie to reality.'

The occasion was Guyana’s first meeting of the Green State Development Strategy (GSDS) Multi-Stakeholder Expert Group on November 22, 2017. In collaboration with UN Environment, particularly the Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean and its Caribbean Sub-Regional Office, Guyana has been making strides in the development of its Green State Development Strategy.

“National commitment for a Green State reaffirms that the environmental dimension cannot be isolated from economic growth and social wellbeing. The three dimensions of sustainable development are equally important for a society to flourish and for human happiness”, said Adriana Zacarias, representative of the UN Environment Programme,

The Green State Development Strategy lays the foundation for an inclusive green economy, resulting in improved human well-being and social equity. Guyana's economy under the strategy is expected to diversify, reducing the country's reliance on resource-intensive sectors and opening new sustainable income sources, investment opportunities and the achievement of the Sustainable Development Goals.

The expert group will add their technical assistance and experience to develop an inclusive and comprehensive strategy which will serve as a long-term vision, guiding Guyana's economic, social and environmental development.

One hundred and thirty (130) individuals including representatives of seven diplomatic missions, heads of United Nations agencies, senior governmental officials, senior representatives of NGOs and the private sector came together increase their awareness of the purpose of the strategy and to determine the various roles of the members and teams of the stakeholder expert group.

The resulting Green State Development Strategy will encompass seven focus areas including: